Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 132951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“Yeah, and I love her.”
“Kodiak might have mentioned that her health isn’t the best.”
“She’s doing okay.”
“Connor’s close to her though, yeah?”
“Stop fishing and just enjoy my wedding, Flip.”
He laughs. “Okay. I’ll leave it alone. At least until you get back from your honeymoon.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Tally and Fee twirl past us, giggling and smiling.
Flip’s gaze follows them for a moment before he returns his attention to me. “Tally wants me to save her a dance.”
I smile. “I’m sure she does.”
His brow furrows. “You don’t seem surprised.”
I pat his chest. “I’m not. I don’t think anyone in our friend group would be, to be honest.”
“What do you mean?” His gaze darts over my shoulder for a moment, before returning to me.
I arch a brow.
“It’s just a crush.”
“A few years ago it was a crush, Flip. She’s not a teenager anymore. She’s an adult. She’s in university, and before long, she’ll be graduating and living life.”
He shakes his head, unnerved. “That can’t… I can’t… I’m not a good choice for her.”
“Maybe in the past—”
“The shit I’ve done.” He squeezes the bridge of his nose. “I can’t erase it, and she’s too good for me.”
“That’s not true.”
“Vander Zee would bury me.”
I glance over at the Terror’s head coach, sitting at a table, watching his daughter having a good time while wearing a serious expression. He’s an intense guy at the best of times.
“Promise you won’t let me make that mistake, Dred.”
I sigh. What am I supposed to say? “I won’t let you make a mistake.”
CHAPTER 25
CONNOR
“That conversation looked serious,” I murmur once Mildred is back at my side.
“His eyes are finally opening,” she replies.
“You told him why you married me?”
Dred side-eyes me. “No.”
“Then wh—” I glance over at Tally and Fee, whose heads are together. “The coach’s daughter has a crush.”
She hums. “Speaking of crushes, and getting over them, Callie seems to be smitten.”
The music has changed to something more upbeat, but Kodiak is wrapped around Lavender like it’s a slow song. In front of them, Tally, Fee, and Callie have started dancing with Everly and Victor. Callie looks up at Victor with stars in her eyes. And every so often, Tally’s gaze moves across the room to where Flip is standing with Tristan and a few of our teammates, talking.
Meems approaches, arm laced with Isabelle’s.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“Everything is wonderful.” Meems takes one of our hands in each of hers. “You two are beautiful together. I’m so thrilled I could be here to celebrate this day.”
“Us too, Meems.” I fold her into a gentle hug, and Mildred does the same.
She whispers something to Meems that makes her laugh.
“I’m going to walk Meems out to the car,” Isabelle says.
“I can do that,” I reply.
“I can come, too,” Mildred offers.
“No, you join your friends on the dance floor.” I tip my chin toward the Terror women. “You too, Izzy.”
“Feel free to join us when you get back.” Mildred kisses the edge of my jaw, links arms with Izzy, and shimmies over to her friends.
I walk Meems out of the reception, and we take the elevator to the lobby.
“Those twins from the library absolutely adore Dred,” she notes.
“They do,” I agree.
“She loves them, too,” she adds.
“She has a big heart.”
“She’s good for you.” Meems pats my hand.
“I think so, too.”
When I return, my eyes are on the dance floor, but I’m cornered by my father and a few of his business associates and am sucked into a dry conversation I couldn’t care less about. Eventually I’m able to excuse myself and join Kodiak and some of the guys from my team, who are hanging out by the bar, watching the women dancing.
I give Mildred her space to enjoy the evening, since we’ll be spending the next few days together, just the two of us, for our honeymoon. The flush in her cheeks and her glassy eyes toward the end of the night tell me she’s enjoyed the champagne. I can’t blame her. I’ve had a few glasses myself. It’s been quite the gauntlet since we started down this road a mere handful of weeks ago.
A little after midnight, I whisk my bride off her feet and carry her out of the ballroom while she waves to her friends and everyone throws confetti. Once the doors close behind us and the cameras stop flashing, we head up to the wedding suite. Mildred is quiet in the elevator, and I don’t force conversation.
We exit on our floor and walk together until she stands in front of the double doors. “Are we sharing a room?”
“Yes, darling.” I pass her the keycard.
“And a bed?”
“That’s entirely up to you.” I bend and slide my arm under her legs, lifting her off the floor.
She gasps and wraps her arms around my neck, exactly like she does every night when I carry her from the library to her bedroom. “What are you doing?”